Abstract
This paper contends that as Australia is a liberal democracy, voluntary voting is desirable. The paper argues this by stating the positive liberal democratic effects that a voluntary voting system would have such as
drastically increasing overall political activity, enhancing the current political system by making it more democratic in nature and the advancement of the fundamental rights of Australia's citizens.

From the Paper
"Far from decreasing political activity, voluntary voting would in fact increase political activity. This would be primarily caused by two major effects resulting from people no longer having to vote for the better of multiple parties, but rather only voting when a party shows itself as worthy of the effort. Firstly, parties and party supporters would be forced to become more involved in the local issues of the people and the community in order to motivate the electorate to vote for them. Secondly, campaigning would become just as prominent in safe seats as it is in marginal seats, as the number of votes from safe seats would no longer be guaranteed. When one considers that current party election efforts focus primarily not just on marginal seats but on swinging marginal seats, which make up only 7% of the population, it's obvious that the resulting increase in political activity would be drastic. "

Tags:democracy, liberalism, electorate, citizens

Abstract
The following paper discusses the reasons why smoking should not be allowed in public places. The writer expresses his strong views against smoking and proposes that laws be passed to protect non-smokers from smokers.

From the Paper
"Smoking vs. nonsmoking in a public area; should people be allowed a choice? I think smoking in public places should not be allowed. Imagine sitting in a public place, unable to enjoy the air you are breathing due to the cloud of smoke coming from the person sitting near you. The fact that smoking is allowed has put the smoker and the nonsmoker in an uncomfortable situation. Being uncomfortable for the smoker is by choice, but the nonsmoker has no choice and this is why it shouldn t be allowed. We weren t made for smoking and neither was our environment."

Tags:safety, laws, killing, public, prevent, choice, pollution, lung, cancer, secondhand, heart, death

From the Paper
"Each year millions of animals are killed due to animal laboratory testing. We take for granted that our medicine, shampoos, soaps, and cosmetics will not poison or blind us, cause our hair to fall out, or skin to blister. The rats, rabbits, dogs, and other animals, however, do have to undergo these symptoms. Experimenting on animals is very popular in medical labs where they are trying out new drugs. Many people feel that animal testing is necessary to ensure safe medicines, cosmetics, and other products. Most people believe that a lab animal would have the same reaction that a human would have to a chemical; however, this is where people are wrong."

Tags:ethics, vivisection

From the Paper
"Capital punishment is one of the most controversial topics among Americans today. Since every person has their own opinion on the topic, either for or against, the question always raised is "Is it morally right?" However, to many death penalty abolitionists, the answer is very clear -- capital punishment is morally and ethically wrong. Not only do human beings not have the right to take a life of another individual, but innocent people are being executed, and the race of the accused clearly plays a factor in whether or not the death penalty is sought. The only solution to protect the innocent and minorities from an extremely flawed system is to issue a moratorium on executions, even for the most heinous and despicable of crimes. In a judicial system where prejudices, hate, and political pressure play a large role, deciding whether a person should live or die cannot not be left up to other individuals who are as human and as fallible as those they are sentencing. "

Tags:government, murder, punishment, ethics, pros, cons

Abstract
This essay takes its basis from the comment of one politician regarding his "reservations" about homosexuals in the police force. It argues the moral implications of discriminating against gay men and women as projected into the greater community. Highlights outdated beliefs and humanitarian arguments.

From the Paper
"The Victorian Police Minister's comments regarding his "great reservations about gays and lesbians in our police force" has been met with public outrage. So too has the Police Force's threat to sack three police members who responded to the Police Minister's comments. However, these comments and threatened sackings have a much more widespread implication for our society than momentary outrage. They have an implication for homosexuals in our community on a whole and not just homosexuals in the police force."

Tags:argumentative, editor, homosexuality, letter

Abstract
This paper deals with the what parents, older generation and the younger generation think about rap. It also, tells both sides (good and bad) of rap music and why it is perceived in different ways to diferent people.

From the Paper
"Many people of the older generation dislike the younger generations? taste in music, mostly because the music has evolved to a new level. This level includes a lot of swearing and abusive language and sexual references. These explicit records have become readily available on the market for the youth of today. This level of music is different to the level of obscene language that was around in the younger days of the older generation. In their day and age, there were no records that provoked swearing, sex and other themes."

Tags:generation, generations, parents, reflective, society

Abstract
In vitro fertilisation has been used for decades and allows parents and doctors to screen embryos for genetic disorders and select healthy embryos. This paper investigates and rebuts the argument against genetic engineering and builds a strong case supporting 'designer babies'.

From the Paper
"An even greater and more controversial development in medical science is the technology of stem cells developed from early pre implanted human embryo, and in the near future, the ability to manipulate DNA. The new technology of stem cells will revolutionize medicine. When someone has a heart attack cells are damaged but a dose of new cells made in the lab could cure the harm. It will be possible to cure numerous cell-based diseases like juvenile-onset diabetes and Parkinson's disease, and to make organ transplants unnecessary. An American woman recently had her sight restored using eye cells harvested from stem cells. In future procedures like this could enhance the quality of life of humankind."

Tags:cloning, fertilisation, genetics, vitro, in, dna, disease

Abstract
A look at Immanuel Velikovsky's theories of the justification of 'miraculous' events which he claimed had been caused by major astronomical event. The author focuses mainly on the claims outlined in his popular book, "Worlds in Collision".

From the Paper
"Immanuel Velikovsky, author of Worlds in Collision, was very well read when it came to the texts of ancient cultures. In his book he argues that our solar system has changed dramatically within the last few millennia, impacting considerably on the course of history on Earth. I will attempt to show that his statement, based on these ancient writings, is flawed. He does not question the veracity of the texts and takes everything said as literal, leaving them greatly open to interpretation. I will also illustrate how Velikovsky's theory is disproved by geographic evidence, which he fails to investigate."

Tags:ancient, bible, collision, interplanetary, mars, miracles, worlds

Abstract
This paper uses a letter written by Martha Burk of the National Council of Women's Organizations to the private Augusta National Golf Club protesting that no women members are allowed in the club. This letter is the starting point for the author's argument that membership organizations can limit applicants on the basis of gender. The author counter argues that, if the objective of forcing the club to allow women members is supposed to improve the plight of working women in general, most of the arguments of Ms. Burk and her supporters appear to have little or no merit. This paper presents many arguments including that Augusta National has a clear legal right to exclude women from membership, citing the Supreme Court's case, "Boy Scouts of America v. Dale".

Table of Contents
Introduction
Martha Burk's Arguments
Counter Arguments
Position of Golfers
Arguments in Favor of Augusta National's Position
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Adding women members to the Augusta National membership list will not improve the pay and opportunities for women in this country. While the club is composed of wealthy, influential people, it is a miniscule portion of society. Unless one is at least a casual golf fan, the Masters, the Augusta National Golf Club and its policies mean little or nothing to the average person. Ms. Burk and her supporters have failed to show that allowing women to join the club will help a significant number of women. They have simply made the unsupported gratuitous statement that it will. Actually, Ms. Burk and her organization would probably have a greater impact on more people by focusing on integrating small-town clubs that exclude people on the same basis as Augusta National does. But, of course, there would be no media attention from doing that."

Tags:private, elitist, business, discrimination, constitution

Abstract
Gives a critical analysis of "the war on drugs". Through examination of the history and present motivations of drug laws, this paper argues that the reasons behind drug criminalization are invalid. The paper also shows that the current law enforcement approaches are ineffective in dealing with the drug problem.

From the Paper
"The illicit drug problem is seen as a paramount concern within all western communities and is clearly the source of some of society's most major public health issues. The so-called "War on Drugs" is given unprecedented resources in the area of law enforcement and often headlines our major media outlets. The reasons for our community seeking to criminalize drug use will be explored in the following essay by tracing drugs laws to the original sources of public concern and exploring how community concern has evolved since. It will be shown that the original notions that are the basis of drug criminalization have been flawed from their inception. Furthermore it will be illustrated how current and past drug laws have been completely ineffective in achieving the aims that society has sought to achieve through drug criminalization."

Tags:cocaine, community, enforcement, heroin, history, law, legislation, marijuana, opium, police